WA Liberals endorse Honey for Cottesloe

Former WA Liberal president David Honey has been endorsed as the party's candidate for the Cottesloe by-election, which was triggered by the retirement of ex-premier Colin Barnett.

Dr Honey won support on Tuesday night from the Cottesloe selection committee over five other people, including mining executive and lawyer Emma Roberts, who had the backing of deputy leader Liza Harvey.

But Dr Honey's candidacy for the blue-ribbon seat still has to be ratified at a state council meeting on Saturday.

He is currently a manager at Alcoa and president of the Kwinana Industries Council.

Party leader Mike Nahan said on Wednesday it was a "fierce and open" contest, describing Dr Honey as an "extremely polished and capable" person.

"They thought Emma Roberts was an excellent candidate but they thought David Honey was better," he told reporters.

It had nothing to do with the political donations Dr Honey might be able to attract from the business community, who sided with Labor during last year's election, he said.